Council passes tough fines for water violators

Residents and businesses who violate Birmingham's watering restrictions could face fines of $500 and six months in jail under guidelines approved today by the Birmingham City Council.

Mayor Bernard Kincaid declared a water emergency in response to the Stage 3 drought declared recently by the Birmingham Water Works. Under the emergency guidelines, residents and businesses can water outside only on specific days depending on their addresses. Car washes that do not use recycled water will be banned from operating.

Before rainfall began today, the Birmingham area had a 16-inch deficit in rainfall for the year.